Chapter 145: Questions That Cut Too Deep
Chapter 144: Questions That Cut Too Deep
Lyria’s POV
I said nothing for a while.
Not because I had no thoughts, but because there were too many of them, all arriving at once and none willing to stand still long enough to be spoken properly.
The window beside us remained open, the cold air drifting in in soft, unhurried waves. Below, the courtyard carried on as though the kingdom itself had not just been rearranged by words alone.
Baron Redwick still held his book tightly against his chest, as though it were both shield and argument. Duke Thorncrest, on the other hand, looked entirely too comfortable leaning where he stood, as if the idea of chaos arriving before evening was merely an inconvenience rather than a threat.
I finally exhaled.
"B-Baron Redwick," I began quietly, then hesitated.
My fingers tightened slightly against my skirt before I continued.
"I... I appreciate the book," I said, glancing briefly toward it. "Truly, I do. But I d-doubt I would be able to go t-through all of it before the evening."
The baron frowned faintly, though not in disagreement yet—only in consideration.
"And," I added, my voice softening, "i-t should be of note, no e-exact time has been given. It could be at any hour... even the earliest part of the evening."
I paused.
Then forced myself to meet both of their gazes.
"So... I would like to work with b-both of you."
That earned a slight shift from Duke Thorncrest. A flicker of interest, perhaps.
I continued before I could lose the momentum.
"You both have more experience than I do," I said honestly. "And I... I would rather l-learn from you than make a s-spectacle of myself when it m-matters."
A brief silence followed.
I swallowed.
"It may b-be exactly as you said," I added, my voice lowering just slightly. "T-that this is... a kind of response from the King and Queen. For what happened a-at the ball."
I did not say the rest aloud.
That I was certain it was not merely a response.
That it was intentional.
That it was aimed.
Because it was one thing to be corrected by authority.
It was another entirely to be made into a lesson.
A cautionary example. A mistake others were meant to laugh at.
I kept my expression steady.
I do not plan to go in unprepared. I would not have the luxury of seeing Patricia though due to how much I would be occupied, but when I got the chance I would visit her and learn more about courtly behaviour.
Duke Thorncrest studied me for a moment, his expression unreadable.
Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles slowly.
"I see," he said at last.
There was a pause.
Then, more quietly, he added, "A reasonable approach."
I let out a breath I hadn’t realized I was holding.
Duke Thorncrest tilted his head slightly.
"Do you think that reason will have anything to do with how these questions will be chosen?" he asked.
Baron Redwick let out a short, tired exhale.
"I would prefer not to assume anything at all," he muttered. "It spares one disappointment."
That, strangely enough, made something in my chest loosen a little.
Baron Redwick looked down at the book in his arms as though it had personally offended him.
"I dislike situations such as this," he said after a moment. "Ambiguity dressed as structure. Disorder disguised as procedure."
Duke Thorncrest gave a faint hum.
"And yet," he said, "you are still here."
The baron shot him a look.
"Unfortunately," he replied.
Duke Thorncrest smiled slightly at that.
"And you agree I am right," he added.
Baron Redwick exhaled again, longer this time.
"...Yes," he admitted at last. "I do."
The honesty of it made me blink.
Duke Thorncrest looked faintly satisfied, as though that alone had confirmed something for him.
Then he shifted his weight slightly and turned his attention back to me.
"Then let us consider," he said, "what they are likely to ask."
Baron Redwick straightened slightly at that, immediately slipping into something more structured.
"For a suitor candidate," he began, "the questions will likely be standardised. Motivations. Intentions. Objectives."
He adjusted his spectacles.
"Why we entered the selection. What we intend to achieve. What we believe we can contribute if chosen."
Duke Thorncrest nodded once.
"Predictable," he said.
"Efficient," Baron Redwick corrected automatically.
Duke Thorncrest made a small sound of agreement that did not quite sound like agreement.
"And for M-moon candidates?" I asked softly.
Baron Redwick hesitated.
That alone made something in my chest tighten again.
He did not answer immediately, as though deciding how much truth to give.
Then he said, carefully, "In normal circumstances, the line of questioning would be similar."
He paused.
"But given recent events," he added, "I would expect deviation, especially where it concerns Your Highness."
I swallowed.
"I reckon the questions you would be asked would be rather invasive," he said plainly.
My stomach tightened.
"Invasive...?" I repeated quietly.
He nodded once.
"Questions concerning lineage," he said. "Family background. Legitimacy."
My breath caught faintly.
Duke Thorncrest’s expression did not change, but something in his eyes cooled.
Baron Redwick continued, his tone now more precise, almost clinical in its detachment.
"They may ask why you were kept from public view," he said. "Why you were not involved in court proceedings, choosing instead to remain in the shadows. Though it was not your fault... they will make it seem as though it was."
I frowned faintly, the words slow to settle properly in my mind.
"They... w-would ask that?" I murmured.
Baron Redwick met my gaze steadily.
"Yes," he said.
A pause.
Then he added, more quietly, "They may."
Duke Thorncrest let out a soft breath through his nose, though there was no humour in it now.
"That is rather unrestrained," he said.
Baron Redwick gave a faint shrug.
"It is not uncommon," he replied. "Public-facing interviews often invite curiosity. Especially when the subject has been deliberately kept out of public scrutiny."
My throat felt suddenly dry.
Baron Redwick adjusted his spectacles again, though slower this time.
"Now that I consider it," he said, "I doubt the royal family is only targeting candidates such as myself," he said. "Or Thorncrest—those of us who spoke up at the ball—but you as well."
He added after a pause, "Specifically you."
Then, after a brief silence, he continued.
"The royal family may attempt to present this as fairness," he said, "but from what I have observed... they are displeased."
